Bend OR vs Madison WI — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Bend, OR
Oregon · Population: 97,502
- Median HH Income$94,279
- Median Home Price$735,193
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+49.3%
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Bend
97,502
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bend
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Bend
37.6
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Foreign Born
Bend
17.6%
Bend +
Madison
11.6%
White
Bend
65.5%
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Black
Bend
2.8%
Madison
7.1%
Madison +
Asian
Bend
11.4%
Bend +
Madison
8.0%
Hispanic
Bend
17.3%
Bend +
Madison
9.3%
Spanish at Home
Bend
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,502 | 275,568 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 31.8 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 17.6% | 11.6% | Bend + |
| White | 65.5% | 73.0% | Madison + |
| Black | 2.8% | 7.1% | Madison + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 8.0% | Bend + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 9.3% | Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bend
$94,279
Bend +
Madison
$76,983
Per Capita Income
Bend
$51,659
Bend +
Madison
$48,557
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bend
$63,691
Bend +
Madison
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Bend
4.2%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Bend
9.9%
Bend +
Madison
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bend
49.3%
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,279 | $76,983 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,659 | $48,557 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $61,837 | Bend + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | 16.2% | Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.3% | 59.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bend
$735,193
Madison
$429,253
Madison +
Homeownership Rate
Bend
49.8%
Bend +
Madison
46.6%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $735,193 | $429,253 | Madison + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 46.6% | Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
355
Madison
309
Madison +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
3001
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 309 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
26.5%
Bend +
Madison
32.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
8.9%
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bend
16.0%
Bend +
Madison
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bend
6.5%
Bend +
Madison
7.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bend
17.7%
Bend +
Madison
20.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bend
10.0%
Bend +
Madison
10.2%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.5% | 32.7% | Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 16.5% | Bend + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 7.9% | Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 20.8% | Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 10.2% | Bend + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
46.6°F
Bend +
Madison
46.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
11.4 in
Bend +
Madison
37.3 in
| Metric | Bend, OR | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6°F | 46.7°F | Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.4 in | 37.3 in | Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bend
9.0 µg/m³
Bend +
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bend
55.0%
Madison
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bend, OR | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Bend + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bend
26.1 min
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 21.2 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bend leads in median household income at $94,279, while madison offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $429,253. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 355 in Bend. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and Bend has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bend scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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